Click to hear this sermon delivered by Bishop Marcus Matthews  sermon090913

King Duncan tells a story about "Actor Rex Harrison and his former wife Elizabeth were dinning with a few friends at the 21 Club.

SERMON FOR CIRCERO UMC

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2009

8:45 AND 10:30 AM

BISHOP MARCUS MATIHEWS, PREACHING

SERMON: LOOKING FOR JESUS

TEXT: MARK 8:27-30

King Duncan tells a story about "Actor Rex Harrison and his former wife Elizabeth were dinning with a few friends at the 21 Club. While they were preparing to order, as happens so often with actors, a handsome young man got up from a nearby table and came over to meet them. He said, 'We just got in on the last flight. You've given me so much pleasure through the years, Mr. Harrison, I just had to come over to thank you.'"

Harrison nodded his head graciously and returned his attention to the wine list as soon as the young man had left again. "What a very odd fellow," Rex said later. "I don't know why he made such a fuss over his last flight. I came in on the last flight from London, but I don't go on about IT, do I?"

"Rex," said his wife, "that was James Lovell. He just came back from flying around the moon."

Rex Harrison was embarrassed of course. If he had known who he was talking to, he might have accorded him more respect.

But he shouldn't feel too bad about not recognizing James Lovell. People failed to recognize Jesus. Even those closest to him missed the whole point of his ministry until after he had died and risen again.

In the book The Color of Water a child- !sled his mother what is the color of God?

How does he look, how tall is God, how much does he weigh, etc. The mother responded God is the color of water.

There are many people searching for God today. I see them on the streets of our cities and suburban and rural areas. They are young and old. They are people who are trying to make some sense out of life. People want to experience the presence of Jesus in their lives. Some are desperate- looking in every possible direction and place to encounter love. Talking with spiritual directors/ gangs for many of our young people/ social groups searching for that someone or something to help one fill the empty void in their life.

Our world has never witnessed more confused and turbulent times as at the present. There is war. There is lack of trust in Wall Street/ Main Street and side street. Hard to get people to trust anything or anyone.

In the midst of all the perversity of our age, when it seems that all does not look well! There is a need to start looking for Jesus. I don't know of any other than Jesus who can meet our deepest needs. Our children are challenging us as never before. It appears nothing satisfies this generation! We don't like debt - yet we do not like to sacrifice. We don't like discipline; yet we want good schools! We want a great moving and powerful church, but we can't want it to change from yesterday gone by.

Where are we looking for Jesus!

Are you looking for Jesus in your servitude? I know today with so much affluence - it is hard to consider ourselves in a state of servitude - but that is where we are. Jesus declared: No person can serve two masters for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon." Mt 6:24. There are many people who cannot bear the idea of filling a servant's role in the church, but think it quite all right to become enslaved to a secular organization.

Are you looking for Jesus in your solitude? When in your life you became face to face with the reality of truth? CHILD/ HEALTH ISSUES. What do you do?

In a world like we live in today - where affections of people vacillate from hot to cold. Where loud proclamations turn out to be more sounding gongs and tinkling cymbals. When the word has no lasting meaning. There is a need for one to look for Jesus who can set our feet upon a rock and establish our goings. That solid rock is Jesus and he is the same yesterday, today and will be tomorrow.

Are you looking for Jesus in your gratitude?

What I am saying here this morning is not a play on words - servitude, solitude and gratitude! There is a place for each in a person's life. One is born in servitude; we develop and discover solitude. When we have been redeemed, we then come forth with gratitude. The Psalmist is correct when he said: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless God's holy name." Ps. 103:1

There is a time for gratitude when we receive blessings from God. It is time to seek gratitude.

Despite all the hard times it appears we are living ... the spirit of God is moving in our world. Last week in a restaurant, I heard a witness of a waitress who unashamedly said, "I believe in God. I have found peace with God. My husband has found God also when he saw the change in me he too decided that if it is good enough for me, it is good enough for him. I am thoroughly convinced that God is working and moving in the hearts of people everywhere. The more challenging the days become, the brighter will be his appearing."  In tough times we respond better to human needs!

Servitude/ Solitude and Gratitude

There is a story about Annie Howard. She volunteers her time at the Kentucky Correctional Institute for Women.

When she arrives at the prison each day, she is usually greeted warmly be a number of the inmates who want to share the events of their lives. She walks through the prison, waving and chatting. She gives encouragement to any who are having problems. She visits the chapel, and helps in the weekly Bible study. She talks with two volunteers, Linda and Judy. Both of these women are grateful to Annie for getting them involved in such fulfilling ministry. They find it to be both rewarding and sad that the women in the prison are more excited by their ministry than the members of their own church are. These wonderful volunteers have seen many women accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior while in prison.

Annie claims that her success lies in the fact that the woman in the prison know that she represents Christ. His love works through her. Instead of giving them just words, she lets them see Christ's love in action.  And that love is making a difference in their lives.

This little light of mine - I'm going to let it shine!

When we give ourselves to others, when we show others Christ-like love, we are doing what Jesus wants us to do. This is what following Christ is all about.

Are you looking for Jesus this morning? Is he your Savior? Is he the one that blesses you in ways that you know not how to articulate? Or is he just someone we accept to enter our lives on Sundays? The choice is always ours. FREE WILL! But Jesus is waiting for us to accept him on his terms, and to follow his lead. Will you live only for yourself or will you live for him?

Thanks be to God, so be it AMEN!